Part of Opava is already under water

According to current predictions, the Silesian metropolis will probably be one of the most affected cities. Opava experienced extensive floods in 1997, when water reached the center and the housing estate. According to forecasts, it cannot be ruled out that the situation may be even worse on Sunday night. A significant part of the precipitation in Jeseníky flows through the Opava.

As Roman Konečný, the spokesman of the Opava town hall, stated, the situation in Opava is very serious due to the extreme amount of precipitation and, unfortunately, it seems that it will worsen. This is evidenced by the current flow of the Opava River, which on Saturday afternoon already began to threaten the local parts of Vávrovice, Držkovice and Palhanec, through which the Opava River flows.

Before six o’clock in the evening, a large part of Držkovice was already flooded and people are gradually evacuating, which is not easy.

“We are currently cut off, both access roads are under water,” explained the mayor of Držkovic, Miroslav Kořistka. The surrounding fields and meadows are under water, which is not enough to soak up the water, and the level of the Opava River is still rising.

“According to the calculations, we will be hit by more than a century’s worth of water. Držkovice, Vávrovice, Palhanec, part of Kateřinek and places near rivers and watercourses are most at risk. Currently, no one knows exactly where the biggest problems can arise. The region declared a state of danger, the worst situation should be early Sunday morning. Therefore, there is still plenty of time to prepare,” said Roman Konečný, spokesman for the Opava municipality.

According to the information that was heard at the press conference of the regional flood commission, more precipitation is expected to fall than during the catastrophic floods in 1997. This should concern the Opava River, through which a large part of the precipitation drained into the Opava River from Jeseníky flows.

“The situation is not good and it will get worse. We do not want to spread panic, but we want citizens to be able to prepare. We ask everyone who lives near water and may be at risk to prepare for the possibility of evacuation. Find out if you can move in with family or friends. Prepare medicines, documents and ideally basic food, a charged phone, a sleeping bag, a blanket or a mat. If you know of a senior or sick person who lives alone, try to contact them to see if they need help,” said the mayor of Opava, Tomáš Navrátil (ANO).

On Friday, the Opava municipality allowed free parking in the entire city until further notice, including parking garages.

“The city has been distributing sandbags since Thursday, several thousand have already been distributed. We have prepared an evacuation center where 71 people can temporarily sleep. We have also prepared a gymnasium at ZŠ Vrchní (about 60 places), in the area of ​​the Municipality of Opava on Krnovské (60 places), and other places will be established as needed. We are ready to increase the capacity,” added Konečný, the spokesperson of the town hall.